DEPARTING COACH MATT O’Connor lamented his side’s inability to hit high standards after his exit from the province was confirmed.
The province’s CEO Mick Dawson announced that the Australian would leave by mutual consent after meeting of the professional games board in UCD this morning.
In a statement released by Leinster, O’Connor outlines his disappointment with his team’s league form, but points to the Heineken and Champions Cup journeys as memories ‘to be proud of’:
“I am disappointed and frustrated with our form in the Pro12 this season,” the Australian said in a statement.
“We set high standards for ourselves and for many reasons, we did not achieve those highs throughout the league this campaign.
“However the European journey that we took over two seasons, for a new group of coaches, players and staff, is one that we can be very proud of. The dynamic in Europe has changed with meritocracy and fewer teams competing and this has improved the quality.
Pursuit
“We went toe to toe with the best and there is no shame in losing to Toulon by the smallest of margins and I’m extremely proud of the group and the character shown.”
“I would like to thank my coaching team and the backroom staff for their support and for leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a performance every week.
“I’d also like to thank the players for their application during my time here. They have been a pleasure to work with and I will look back on my time with great fondness for what we achieved together.
“Finally, to the supporters, thanks for making me and my family feel welcome during our time here and I wish Leinster Rugby the very best of luck for the future.”
Always sad on a personal level when somebody gets sacked so publicly but he had to go. Leinster have steadily regressed and that regression would just have continued next season. Correct decision. Looking forward to next season now.
All the best Matt. Gave his best, could not ask much more from him.
Well we’re all disappointed with the past season but onwards and upwards for everyone and that goes for MOC too.
Thank Christ
Once the players are having to publicly state they back the manager its game over .Good luck to MOC not a bad coach just not the right fit for Leinster.
few people could have reached the standards Joel set, Leinster supporters should be ashamed of themselves for the witch hunt against this manager. Most supporters showed their loyalties by abandoning ship when the going got tough throughout the season.
As munster fans also did when things went downhill by abandoning the terraces. Ride on there on your high horse
Agreed. Not just to MOC but the treatment of Gopperth as well, very unsavoury and poor support.
James, Munster have never and would never heckle or boo their own players/coach.
Munster went through 4 or 5 bad seasons after Kidney. Bandwagoners always jumps ship but with Munster and genuine fans it was the brand of rugby that put a lot of supporters off. Shocking under McGahan and Penney. At least Leinster had the foresight to act quickly and when it was obvious the team were getting worse under O’Connor. That said a lot of so called fans jumped ship very early
Leinster fans never booed MOC or Gopperth either so don’t know what game you were at to hear that…..
Typical responses from Philip & Rochelle who’ll do anything to throw muck at Leinster rugby & fans so no surprise there. The fans never booed Gopperth or Matt despite obvious flaws. Neither played to Leinster’s strengths. The rot has stopped, time heal and then it’s onwards and upwards, COYBIB
I’m. Connaught supporter
Spell it right then. It’s Connacht
Leinster Rugby under the leadership of Mick Dawson have made the absolutely right decision. This season’s performances and results are unacceptable for a team that regards itself as one of the best in Europe. A change of head coach sends the signal to the players and the fans, that mediocrity is not an option. Upwards and onwards! An Laighean abú!!!!!
Always sad to see someone sacked but think it’s the right call, it just didn’t work out for him here, hopefully he gets a decent job somewhere else soon enough, not too much too select from to replace him though, would love to see jackman or Gibbs come back but they’re both under contract same with O’shea, not sure what ewen Mckenzie is doing at the moment but he could be an interesting appointment but don’t know if he’d be interested. Dempsey seems to be doing a very good job with the A team which could come in very handy during World Cup time as some of the younger guys will get more game time and he’ll know them better than anyone.
Surprising, but necessary move. You’d imagine that Leinster have made some moves behind the scenes to get a replacement.
The candidates:
Leo Cullen – interim appointee, but too callow to be a serious candidate at this stage. Needs to keep learning
Girvan Dempsey – like Leo, not ready yet. Promising, though.
Bernard Jackman – doing great things with Grenoble. They’d be unlikely to want him to go, and I suspect he is happy where he is for now.
Conor O’Shea – would be a very popular appointee, but does seem quite committed to Harlequins. Leinster (& Munster) jobs likely to be offered his way in the future, so not a case of “now or never”.
Ewan MacKenzie – available, and highly rated.
Robbie Deans – also probably available. Mixed reputation, and quite a difficult character, apparently
Mike Ruddock – probably the best bet. He knows the young players from U20s days, has massive experience & pedigree. He also knows Irish rugby & the IRFU well. He would probably accept a 1 year contract which could be extended if he were successful. If not, it buys Leinster a year to find someone.
Finally opens the door to the dream coaching ticket of Eddie O’Sullivan and George Hook
Two good performances in Europe in two years (one of them we lost) wasn’t enough. Did a good job with the forwards this year and maybe he isn’t meant to be a head coach. The biggest disappointment in his reign was the lack of development in giving young players the right opportunities at the right times.
Best of luck to him, but delighted that there’s light at the end of the season now.
Deans or White? Or could we dream for O’Shea?
I’d like ruddock… Great developer of academy talent, was the first pro coach that BOD, hickey, Horgan etc worked under. Has turned every team he’s coached into champions… If not head coach I’d def say forwards coach… Leo has a bit to learn yet!
Can we get Eric Elwood at all?
Leo is the man for the job
Back under your rock troll
Nah Rochelle, Axel is the man! What with his extensive coaching experience and all that….
Yes and munsters pro 12 experience this year proves that. The league is the real competition and the cup is the add on. Unfortunately part-time supporters put the cup first and are happy to attend 3 or 4 matches each season. Now that the changed format of the league is producing competitive matches all supporters might give it the credit it deserves.
How many NIQ places have they left? They need an experienced leader or two in the pack just as much with so many players on Irish duty.